Ramblings of an Emergency Physician in Texas

There’s some not-so-good natured chortling about Mr. Obama riding a bike while wearing a helmet, with derisory comments about an adult on a bike wearing appropriate headgear. I’m not going to link those blogs, but trust me, they’re there.

As an occasional cyclist, one who’s actually used their helmet while riding a bike, and as an Emergency Physician who sees people with head injuries, this is a practice to be promoted, not discouraged.

Now, were I to make fun of him in that photo, it’d be for wearing blue jeans on a bike. That just looks dorky. There’s a reason pro cyclists wear shorts, and it’s not for that really special tan line 2 inches above the knee. (Pro cyclists also wear helmets).

So, encourage helmet use by adults: it’s good for them directly, and doesn’t send the ridiculous message to kids that helmets are only for ‘little kids’.

* Disclaimer: I’m not an Obama fan, have utterly no intention of voting for him, but think this is an area where he’s being abusedly stupidly. For my Presidential endorsement, see my only statement to date.